Plush toy container apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A floral apparatus includes a stuffed toy having a body that has an opening within the body. The opening is sized to receive a plant or floral arrangement. A method includes forming an opening within a stuffed toy; and placing a floral arrangement or plant within the opening.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/839,936, filed Aug. 25, 2006 under 35 USC119 (e).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a plush toy floral apparatus andmethods for making and using a plush toy floral apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Florists are in the business of sending floral arrangements and liveplants to all sorts of people. The florist typically takes an order froma customer. Many times the customer seeks to send a floral arrangementor live plant to a third party. Many customers call a florist andexplain a situation and then seek the florist for advice or suggestionsregarding what to send to the third party. As a result, florists arealways looking for new options to offer customers for floralarrangements and live plants.

One market segment that seems to have an unmet need is that of children.For example, a child might be sick or even hospitalized. Typically, achild is sent a floral arrangement in some sort of ceramic vase. To makethe floral arrangement directed toward the child a plush toy isgenerally strapped to the floral arrangement. In essence, the toy is forthe child and the floral arrangement is for the other adults visitingthe sick child. If the child likes the looks of the toy, the toy isseparated from the floral arrangement so the child can play with thetoy. The remaining floral arrangement may be destroyed. Certainly theoverall look of the arrangement is changed or degraded. At best, theresulting stand alone floral arrangement or live plant may be somethingof interest to adults. However, the child to which the floralarrangement or plant was sent is disinterested. As a result, the floralarrangement and stuffed toy have missed the point which is to bring somejoy to the child.

Another aspect that is lost on such floral arrangements is aneducational component. It has been found that environmental issues areincreasingly becoming a regular part of everyday life. As our populationbecomes increasingly urban, many children are not learning about growingplants or various aspects of our ecosystem. In fact, many children donot even realize that plants need light and water. As a result, manychildren do not appreciate the basics about the surrounding environmentand the issues related to the environment. Therefore, learning howplants grow, will teach children to appreciate other aspects of theworld around them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.However, a more complete understanding of the present invention may bederived by referring to the detailed description when considered inconnection with the figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar items throughout the figures, and:

FIG. 1 is perspective view a stuffed or plush toy having a plantertherein, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an perspective view of a plush toy having an opening therein,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a plush toy, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another moisture management device,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for forming a plant holder thatincludes at least one plush toy, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of plush toys, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of plush toys, according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a kit that includes at least one plushtoy, according to an example embodiment.

The description set out herein illustrates the various embodiments ofthe invention, and such description is not intended to be construed aslimiting in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments inwhich the invention can be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments can beutilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes can be made without departing from the scopeof present inventions. The following detailed description, therefore, isnot to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of variousembodiments of the invention is defined only by the appended claims,along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims areentitled.

FIG. 1 is perspective view a stuffed or plush toy 100 having a container130 therein, according to an example embodiment. The plush toy 100 couldalso be called a stuffed toy. The plush toy or stuffed toy 100 includesa body 110. The plush toy 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a fictional character.Many stuffed toys or plush toys replicate either an animal or afictional character. The body 110 associated with such a stuffed toy orplush toy 100 includes an upper torso 111, a lower torso 112, a set oflegs 113, a set of arms 114 and a head 115. Thus, the body of a plushtoy or stuffed toy includes all the portions of the stuffed or plush toythat generally occupy a volume and which includes the natural shape ofthe item replicated by the plush or stuffed toy. The container 130, or amajor portion of the container 130, is positioned within the body 110 ofthe plush toy 110. The container 130 includes a lip 132 near the openend of the container 130. The container 130, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,include a live plant 140 or the container may include cut plants (notshown). The container 130 is not limited to holding cut flowers orplants for floral arrangements (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), but can beused to contain any number of different types of items, including aplant 140 as shown in FIG. 1. In other example embodiments, thecontainer 130 could include cut flowers, blooming plants, candy,popcorn, small toys, or anything children or adults might enjoy. Thecontainer can also be used in an arrangement with another plush toy, aset of balloons or another plant, or the like.

FIG. 2 is an perspective view of a plush toy 100 shown in FIG. 1 thatwith the container 130 removed from the body 110 of the plush toy 100,according to an example embodiment. With the container 130 removed fromthe plush toy 100, the opening 120 can be more easily seen. As shown inFIG. 2, the plush or stuffed toy 100 includes an opening 120 formedwithin the body 110. The opening 120 is sized to fit the container 130.The opening 120 generally is sized so that a major portion of thecontainer is surrounded when the container 130 is placed into theopening 120. The opening 120 in the plush toy, as shown in FIG. 1, issized so that the top of the opening 120 catches the lip 132. In otherwords, the lip 132 is not positioned within the body 110 of the plushtoy 100. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in FIG. 2, the lip132 flairs away from the major portion of the container 130. Therefore,the opening substantially surrounds the major portion of the container130 and the lip 132 fits over an edge 122 of the opening 120. In otherembodiments, the lip of a container does not flair out or have an outerdiameter significantly different from the major portion of thecontainer. In this arrangement, the lip 132 of the container may not fitover the edge 122 of the opening 120 but merely extends beyond the edge122 of the opening 120, and beyond the body 110 of the stuffed or plushtoy 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening includes a lining 124. Thelining 124 is formed so that it is substantially the same size as theopening 120 in the body 110 of the plush toy 100. The lining 124 isstitched or sewn to the body 110 of the plush toy 100. In someembodiments, an adhesive is used to attach the lining 124 to the body110 of the plush toy. The lining 124 is also finished by stitching orsewing or otherwise attaching the lining 124 near the edge 122 of theopening 120.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a plush toy 100, according toan example embodiment. The opening 120 shown in the body 110 of theplush toy 100 is rough. The material used to stuff the plush toy 100 isshown on the inside of the opening 120. The stuffed toy or plush toy 100is provided with a stiffener 320 which stiffens the opening 120 andhelps to maintain the shape of the opening 120. The stiffener 320, is astrip of stiff material that has a height approximately equal to theheight of the opening 120. The stiffener 320 has a first end 321 and asecond end 322. During construction, the first end 321 is attached to aportion of the stiffener to form a ring of stiffening material that hasa diameter slightly smaller than the size of the opening. The lining 124is then placed over the opening 120 and the stiffener 320 positionedwithin the opening. The stiffener can be any stiff material malleable toone of several positions. In this particular embodiment, the stiffeningmaterial is available from Uniek of Waunakee, Wis. as Quick CountPlastic Canvas. A moisture management system 310 is placed in the lined(with liner 124) opening 120. In this particular embodiment, themoisture management system 310 includes a tray 311 that catches excesswater from the plant. The tray 311 fits within the bottom of the opening320. In this embodiment, the tray 311 is not provided with any sort ofdrain and merely holds water until the water evaporates or until waterwicks up into the plant. It should be noted that the tray can have anyheight, including a height that is slightly less than the container 130.The container 130 fits within the lined opening 120 and within the tray311 associated with the moisture management systems 310.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another moisture management device 400,according to an example embodiment. The moisture management device 400includes a tray 411 and a drain tube 420. It should be noted that thetray 411 can have any height, including a height that is slightly lessthan the container 130. The tray 411 has an opening 412 therein. Theopening 412 is placed at the lowest portion of the tray 411 aspositioned within an opening, such as opening 120, within a plush toy,such as plush toy 100. During installation or construction, the draintube 420 is placed through the body of the plush toy and an opening ismade at the exterior of the plush toy 100. The drain tube 420 extendsbeyond the body 110 of the plush toy. In this embodiment, when oneoverwaters a plant in a floral arrangement, the tray 411 catches thewater and then any excess passes through the drain tube 420 and awayfrom the plush toy 100.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method 500 for forming a plush toy 100that includes a container 130, according to an example embodiment. Themethod 500 includes forming an opening within a body of a stuffed toy510, and lining the opening formed within the body of the stuffed toy512. In still other embodiments, the method 500 includes bracing theopening 514 before finishing the lining. In other words, the opening inmade the plush toy, and then the opening is braced with the stiffeningmaterial, and then the opening with the fabric liner which is placedover the stiffener. A tray is then placed within the lined opening inorder to manage moisture associated with the arrangement 516. The tray,in some embodiments, would have a height similar in height and width tothe flower pot. The tray would be slightly wider so the flower pot couldfit inside the tray. The flower pot and potted arrangement could then beadded to the opening within the tray to complete the floral arrangement518. The flow diagram of FIG. 5 does not necessarily depict a certainorder of steps. In some embodiments, the stiffener can be added suchthat it would be visible before the flower pot is placed into theopening. In the embodiment described, the stiffener is covered by thelining.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of plush toys 600 and 601,according to an example embodiment. The plush toy 601 is separate fromplush toy 600. The plush toy 600 includes a container 630. The plush toy601 does not include a container. The plush toys are related to oneanother in the arrangement. Plush toy 600 is a mother dinosaur while theplush toy 601 is the offspring of plush toy 600. As shown, at least oneof the first plush toy 600 and the second plush toy 601 includes thecontainer 630.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of plush toys, according to anexample embodiment. The arrangement includes a first plush toy 700 and asecond plush toy 720. The plush toys 700 and 720 are again related inthat each starred in a common movie. Each of the plush toys 700 and 720includes a container 730 and 730′ which is fit substantially within thebody of the respective plush toy 700, 720. It should be noted that theplush toy 700 (tow truck) includes a body 710 which includes the naturalshape of the item replicated by the plush toy. For example, the body 710of the tow truck plush toy 700 includes a cab, a bed of the tow truck,and a set of tires which are attached to the tow truck. In essence, thebody 710 includes the solid volume associated with the plush toy orstuffed toy 700.

An apparatus includes a stuffed toy or plush toy 100 having a body 110.The body 110 of the stuffed toy also includes an opening 120 within thebody 110 sized to receive a container 130. The apparatus, in someembodiments, includes a liner 124. In other embodiments, the apparatusalso includes a stiffener 320 positioned within the body 110 of thestuffed toy 100. The stiffener 320 is positioned near the opening 120within the body 110. The apparatus can include a container 130 adaptedto hold a plant 140, cut flowers, candy, balloons or the like. In someembodiments, the apparatus further includes a moisture management system310. In some embodiments, the moisture management system 310 furtherincludes a tray 311 sized to fit within the opening 120 or a drain 420in fluid communication with the tray 411. A container 130 can beprovided for holding a plant. The container 130 fits substantiallywithin the opening 120.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a kit 800 that includes at least oneplush toy 810, a set of instructions or instructional material 850 forusing the apparatus 810, according to an example embodiment. In theexample embodiment, the plush toy includes a container 830 that holds aplant 840. The instructions 850 include instructions on the care andnurturing of the plant 840 or for any type of plant. In someembodiments, the set of instructions 850 also includes instructions forcleaning a drain tube 412 or for emptying a tray 311, 411 (shown inFIGS. 3 and 4) in the event the plant is over watered. The instructionsor instructional material 850 may also include information about plantsas related to the environment or any other message deemed appropriatefor the audience. For example, the instructions may also includeeducational materials. For example, the instructional materails mayaddress environmental issues that are increasingly becoming a regularpart of everyday life. The instructional materials may also includeinformation about growing plants or information about various aspects ofour ecosystem. As a result, some children may come to appreciate some ofthe basics about the surrounding environment and the issues related tothe environment, as well as other aspects of the world around them.

A floral apparatus includes a first plush toy, and a second plush toy.At least one of the first plush toy and the second plush toy has anopening therein. The opening is adapted to substantially surround aplant container. The opening is within the body of the at least onefirst plush toy or second plush toy. The floral apparatus can include astiffener for maintaining the shape of the opening. The opening caninclude a liner. In some embodiments, the first plush toy and the secondplush toy each have an opening therein. The openings are in at least oneof the first plush toy and the second plush toy is in the body of thefirst plush toy or the second plush toy. The openings or opening, insome embodiments, includes a drip tray fit within the closed end of theopening. In some embodiments of the floral apparatus, the first plushtoy and the second plush toy are theme related.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments reveals thegeneral nature of the invention sufficiently that others can, byapplying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt it for variousapplications without departing from the generic concept, and thereforesuch adaptations and modifications are intended to be comprehendedwithin the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosedembodiments.

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications, equivalents and variations as fall within the spirit andbroad scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus comprising: a stuffed toy having a body; and an openingwithin the body sized to receive a plant.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising a liner.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a stiffener positioned within the body of the stuffed toy,the stiffener positioned near the opening within the body.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a container adapted to sized tosubstantially fit within the opening.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4further comprising at least one plant held in the container.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 further including a moisture management system. 7.The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the moisture management system furtherincludes a tray sized to fit within the opening.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein the moisture management system further includes a drainin fluid communication with the opening.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising a container adapted to hold a plant, the containerfitting substantially within the opening.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising a set of instructions for using the apparatus.
 11. Afloral apparatus comprising: a first plush toy; and a second plush toy,at least one of the first plush toy and the second plush toy having anopening therein, the opening adapted to substantially surround a plantcontainer, the opening within the body of the at least one first plushtoy or second plush toy.
 12. The floral apparatus of claim 11 whereinthe at least one of the first plush toy and the second plush toy havingthe opening therein includes a stiffener, the stiffener for maintainingthe shape of the opening.
 13. The floral apparatus of claim 11 whereinthe at least one of the first plush toy and the second plush toy havingthe opening therein includes a liner.
 14. The floral apparatus of claim11 wherein the first plush toy and the second plush toy each have anopening therein, wherein the opening in at least one of the first plushtoy and the second plush toy is in the body of the first plush toy orthe second plush toy.
 15. The floral apparatus of claim 11 wherein theat least one of the first plush toy and the second plush toy having adrip tray fitting within the closed end of the opening.
 16. The floralapparatus of claim 11 wherein the first plush toy and the second plushtoy are theme related.
 17. A method comprising: forming an openingwithin a body of a stuffed toy; and placing a floral arrangement withinthe opening.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising lining theopening formed within the body of the stuffed toy.
 19. The method ofclaim 17 further comprising bracing the opening.
 20. The method of claim17 further comprising managing moisture associated with the floralarrangement.